Emma Lovell joined STEP as Chief Executive in January 2026. She is responsible for the organisation’s global strategy, culture, performance and governance, working closely with the Board.
Emma’s career has spanned professional services, financial services, regulatory and membership bodies. From April 2020 to the end of 2025, Emma was Chief Executive of the Lending Standards Board, the UK’s primary voluntary regulatory body for the financial services sector, shaping professional standards, regulatory frameworks, policy and practice across financial services. Previously, Emma was Chief Executive of R3 (Association of Business Recovery Professionals), the UK’s membership association for insolvency, restructuring and turnaround professionals. Emma led the Association’s first strategic and organisational reset, strengthening financial resilience, deepening member engagement and enhancing national policy influence.
Alongside her executive leadership career, Emma was a Commissioner for the Institute of Directors, helping to develop the UK’s first voluntary Code of Conduct for company directors launched in 2024. She is also a Non-Executive Director for the Money Advice Liaison Group, a membership body supporting all sectors to improve the lives of people in debt.
